Chapter 189: When Are You Two Getting Married?
James fell silent, knowing full well that Lucas was in the wrong this time and had disappointed Sophia.
After a long, quiet moment pondering, he sighed deeply. "I respect your decision. No matter what happens, you'll always be the sister I cherish most."
When the call ended, Sophia took a deep breath. The salty sea breeze filled her lungs, leaving a slight chill in her chest.
Michael draped his light jacket over her shoulders and pulled her into his arms. "Missing your brother already?"
Sophia leaned into his warmth and smiled softly. "The Johnsons were never a unit in my eyes. Even if I move out, James will always be the brother I've chosen."
"Let's not dwell on it." She tilted her head slightly, gazing at his jawline. "What happened with George's sentencing?"
"Six years in prison."
Sophia nodded, her expression unmoved. Then a thought occurred to her. "Wait... I haven't heard anything about Jane. What happened to her?"
That day during the Smith family implosion, George had bludgeoned Emily with a clock, landing himself in jail while she ended up in the hospital.
But Jane? She hadn't visited the precinct or the hospital. Even Andrew and John hadn't mentioned her.
"Maybe she went back to the Whites?" Michael suggested, though his tone made it clear he didn't buy his own theory.
If there was any explanation for why Jane never showed her children affection, the White family's influence was surely part of it.
In her family of origin, children were merely tools for profit.
Despite her business acumen and founding her own studio at twenty, Jane had been forced to marry George at twenty-two.
Girls didn't get choices.
So Jane felt nothing for George, nothing for her children, and certainly nothing for the Whites who'd controlled her life.
Now that her husband was imprisoned and her assets liquidated, she had nothing left. To the Whites, she was worthless—why would they take her back?
Sophia pressed her lips together in thought, then shrugged. "Whatever. She's not important anyway."
Just idle curiosity, really.
"Sophia! Get over here for the barbecue!" Amelia's voice carried on the wind.
Sophia looked over to see Amelia standing by a grill while Wayne set up folding tables and chairs. Several bodyguards in black suits carried coolers toward them—supplies and ingredients—while two others pitched a tent.
Michael stood and brushed off his pants, then pulled Sophia to her feet. "Come on, I'll make you my signature lamb chops."
Her cool hand enveloped in his warm palm, Sophia followed behind him and couldn't help laughing. "Signature? You burned them to charcoal in middle school."
"That was inexperience! I've practiced just for you. This time they'll be perfectly golden and make your mouth water."
Sophia raised an eyebrow, deliberately teasing. "What if you burn them again?"
Michael glanced back at her, eyes sparkling with amusement. "Then... I'll eat the burnt ones and you get the good ones."
Sophia laughed. "You said it."
When they reached the grill, Amelia was already enthusiastically skewering ingredients while Wayne handled the fire.
Seeing them approach, Amelia immediately thrust a handful of skewers their way. "Come on, help out!"
Michael took the skewers and worked with practiced ease—brushing oil, sprinkling seasonings, every movement fluid.
Sophia stood beside him, watching his focused profile, feeling an unexpected warmth bloom in her chest.
"Whoa, Mr. Green's got skills! You've been practicing?" Wayne teased.
Without looking up, Michael replied calmly, "Of course. I learned specifically for Sophia."
Sophia's ears burned. She pretended not to hear and bent down to grab a drink.
Amelia sidled up and bumped her shoulder playfully. "Hey, with you two being this adorable together, when are you getting married?"
Sophia twisted off the bottle cap and took a sip, maintaining her composure. "We're not there yet."
"Oh please!" Amelia rolled her eyes. "You've known each other for years, been together for years—marriage is inevitable, right? Put it on the calendar already!"
Sophia didn't respond, just let a small smile play at her lips.
The evening breeze stirred, charcoal crackled, and the aroma of grilling meat gradually filled the air.
Michael presented the finished lamb chops to Sophia—golden and glistening, dusted with cumin and chili flakes, the scent irresistible.
"Try it?" His eyes held anticipation.
Sophia accepted it and took a bite. Crispy outside, tender inside, juices bursting forth—a quantum leap from that middle school disaster.
"Well?" Michael watched her expression intently.
Sophia chewed deliberately slowly before nodding. "Not bad."
Michael grinned. "Just 'not bad'?"
"Mm, barely edible." Sophia feigned indifference, though her eyes betrayed her amusement.
Michael reached over and ruffled her hair. "You're such a liar."
Amelia dramatically covered her eyes. "I'm blinded! Your sweetness is too much!"
Wayne laughed and handed her a skewer of mushrooms. "Just eat."
Amelia accepted it with a grin, gazing at Wayne with such intensity you could practically see cartoon hearts. "Oh right, I almost forgot I have a boyfriend too!"
"Hmm?" Wayne raised an eyebrow, his eyes taking on a dangerous glint. "Forgot you have a boyfriend? Guess I need to remind you tonight, so you don't 'forget' and go hunting for male models at clubs again."
Amelia's expression froze. She clutched Wayne's arm placatingly. "I was wrong, okay? That was years ago! Why are you still holding a grudge? Besides, I only mentioned it—I never actually went!"
"But you wanted to?" Wayne's smile turned predatory.
"No! Absolutely not!"
Michael and Sophia watched the couple's bickering with barely suppressed laughter.
After filling their stomachs with barbecue, they grabbed drinks and retreated to the tent to play board games.
The atmosphere was lively when Ray called Sophia again.
"Sophia, Lucas can be hot-headed. I'm apologizing on his behalf."
Sophia smiled slightly, her voice carrying a gentle warmth. "It's fine. Why are you still up so late?"
"Lucas went looking for Snowball and didn't come home for over two hours. Left without his phone. I just found him and brought him back."
Sophia's eyes dimmed slightly. She asked casually, "Did he find Snowball?"
"Not yet." Ray sighed heavily. "Sophia, Lucas saw the security footage. Snowball got out on his own—this had nothing to do with you. But Lucas is getting more rebellious by the day. I'll have a talk with him and make him apologize to you properly."